Key Takeaways
- National park visitors will receive free admission on President Donald Trump’s birthday, but not on Martin Luther King Jr. Day or Juneteenth
- The National Park Service has overhauled its free admission calendar, removing previously free days and adding new ones
- The changes come as Trump’s administration has made efforts to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts
- International tourists will be required to pay an extra fee to visit national parks, starting January 1, 2026
- The annual pass for non-US residents will cost $250, more than triple the standard $80 for US residents
Introduction to the Changes
The National Park Service has announced changes to its free admission calendar, which will take effect in 2026. According to the new calendar, national park visitors will receive free admission on President Donald Trump’s birthday, June 14, which also marks Flag Day. However, visitors will no longer receive free admission on Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Juneteenth, which were previously waived entrance fee days. This change has sparked controversy, as it comes as Trump’s administration has made efforts to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts.
Background on Previous Free Admission Days
Admission fees have been waived on Martin Luther King Jr. Day for years, including throughout Trump’s first administration. Juneteenth, which is the oldest regular US celebration of the end of slavery, was added as an entrance fee free day in 2024. The decision to remove these days from the free admission calendar has been met with criticism, as it is seen as a move to undermine the importance of these holidays. Trump has previously criticized the number of "non-working holidays" in the United States, claiming that they are "costing our Country $BILLIONS OF DOLLARS."
New Free Admission Days
The 2026 calendar for waived admission days adds several new days, including Presidents’ Day, Memorial Day, three days for July 4 weekend, the 110th birthday of the National Park Service on August 25, Constitution Day on September 17, and former President Theodore Roosevelt’s birthday on October 27. Roosevelt is considered to be "the conservationist president," and made several contributions to the National Park System, including doubling the number of sites during his presidency. These new additions to the free admission calendar are seen as a move to promote patriotism and conservation, but have been overshadowed by the removal of previously free days.
Removed Free Admission Days
The calendar also removes several previously free days, including the first day of National Park Week, the Bureau of Land Management’s birthday, Great American Outdoors Day, National Public Lands Day, and the first Sunday of National Wildlife Refuge Week. These changes have been met with disappointment from outdoor enthusiasts and conservation groups, who see the removal of these days as a move to reduce access to national parks and public lands. Visitors will continue to enjoy free admission on Veterans Day, which is seen as a nod to the country’s military veterans.
New Fee System for International Tourists
The free admission will only apply to US residents, as the Department of Interior has unveiled an "America-first" fee system that would require international tourists to pay the standard fee, along with $100 extra per person at 11 of the most visited national parks, starting January 1, 2026. The annual pass will cost non-US residents $250, more than triple the standard $80 which US residents will continue to pay. This new fee system has been met with criticism, as it is seen as a move to restrict access to national parks for international visitors and promote a nationalist agenda.
Conclusion
The changes to the National Park Service’s free admission calendar have sparked controversy and criticism, as they are seen as a move to undermine the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts. The removal of previously free days, such as Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Juneteenth, has been met with disappointment and outrage, while the addition of new days, such as Trump’s birthday, has been seen as a move to promote patriotism and conservatism. The new fee system for international tourists has also been met with criticism, as it is seen as a move to restrict access to national parks and promote a nationalist agenda. As the National Park Service continues to evolve and change, it remains to be seen how these changes will impact visitors and the overall mission of the agency.